Explore the key decisions that will shape Australian agriculture to 2050. This discussion paper identifies the near-term decisions, uncertainties and practical actions that will shape productive, resilient and sustainable Australian agriculture.
Decisions made in the next 12 to 18 months will shape Australian agriculture to 2050
Australian agriculture is moving from exploring possible futures to making decisions that actively influence long-term outcomes. Sustainability commitments, land-use pressures, geopolitical instability and rising input costs are now structural features of the operating environment.
The Ag2050 next steps – scenarios to decisions discussion paper builds on the Ag2050 Scenarios report, by identifying the near-term decisions and uncertainties shaping Australian agriculture to 2050. The paper presents on insights from the Ag2050 Roundtable, co-hosted by CSIRO and the Australian Farm Institute (AFI), involving more than 45 senior participants from government, industry, research, regional and Indigenous organisations.
The paper highlights where uncertainty is constraining action and identifies practical projects that could improve confidence, coordination and investment.
Three decision domains that are shaping Australia's agricultural pathways
The discussion paper identifies three decision domains that are expected to have significant influence on Australia's agricultural pathways to 2050.
Sovereign security, productivity and resilience — strengthening resilience across critical inputs and energy supply chains, and value-adding pathways to support long-term productivity and sector stability.
Trusted sustainability reporting — enabling credible carbon and nature reporting systems that support market access and investment.
Evolving agricultural innovation — improving coordination, digital adoption, data use and AI-enabled productivity.
The paper also proposes six project concepts designed to reduce uncertainty and support decision-making over the next 12 to 18 months.
From scenarios to coordinated action
The Roundtable identified an opportunity to establish a shared, decision-focused agenda for agricultural research and development to 2050 that aligns national priorities, strengthens delivery pathways and accelerates adoption. Roundtable participants identified the potential value for coordinated action across government, industry and research to reduce fragmentation and improve long-term resilience, competitiveness and sustainability.
CSIRO welcomes engagement from government, industry and research stakeholders interested in further exploring and addressing these opportunities to help shape the future direction of Australian agriculture.
This discussion paper was developed by CSIRO in partnership with the Australian Farm Institute (AFI) as part of the Ag2050 program.
Ag2050 is a multi-year program of work targeting transformational change to Australia's farming systems. The program has brought together expertise from industry, government and research to support informed decision-making for the future. Learn more about the Ag2050 program.
Decisions made in the next 12 to 18 months will shape Australian agriculture to 2050
Explore the key decisions that will shape Australian agriculture to 2050.
Australian agriculture is moving from exploring possible futures to making decisions that actively influence long-term outcomes. Sustainability commitments, land-use pressures, geopolitical instability and rising input costs are now structural features of the operating environment.
The Ag2050 next steps – scenarios to decisions discussion paper builds on the Ag2050 Scenarios report, by identifying the near-term decisions and uncertainties shaping Australian agriculture to 2050. The paper presents on insights from the Ag2050 Roundtable, co-hosted by CSIRO and the Australian Farm Institute (AFI), involving more than 45 senior participants from government, industry, research, regional and Indigenous organisations.
The paper highlights where uncertainty is constraining action and identifies practical projects that could improve confidence, coordination and investment.
Three decision domains that are shaping Australia's agricultural pathways
The discussion paper identifies three decision domains that are expected to have significant influence on Australia's agricultural pathways to 2050.
Sovereign security, productivity and resilience — strengthening resilience across critical inputs and energy supply chains, and value-adding pathways to support long-term productivity and sector stability.
Trusted sustainability reporting — enabling credible carbon and nature reporting systems that support market access and investment.
Evolving agricultural innovation — improving coordination, digital adoption, data use and AI-enabled productivity.
The paper also proposes six project concepts designed to reduce uncertainty and support decision-making over the next 12 to 18 months.
From scenarios to coordinated action
The Roundtable identified an opportunity to establish a shared, decision-focused agenda for agricultural research and development to 2050 that aligns national priorities, strengthens delivery pathways and accelerates adoption. Roundtable participants identified the potential value for coordinated action across government, industry and research to reduce fragmentation and improve long-term resilience, competitiveness and sustainability.
CSIRO welcomes engagement from government, industry and research stakeholders interested in further exploring and addressing these opportunities to help shape the future direction of Australian agriculture.
This discussion paper was developed by CSIRO in partnership with the Australian Farm Institute (AFI) as part of the Ag2050 program.
Ag2050 is a multi-year program of work targeting transformational change to Australia's farming systems. The program has brought together expertise from industry, government and research to support informed decision-making for the future. Learn more about the Ag2050 program.
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Decisions made in the next 12 to 18 months will shape Australian agriculture to 2050